Cartel Investigations and antitrust disputes represent one of the most critical and high-risk areas of business law in Georgia. Violating competition legislation, especially entering into cartel agreements (price fixing, market allocation, bid rigging), is subject to severe sanctions, potentially reaching up to 5% of a company's annual turnover. The Georgian National Competition Agency actively monitors the market and investigates suspected violations. Defending a company in such processes requires not only legal expertise but also deep economic analysis to prove that the company's actions were dictated by objective market reality rather than secret collusion.
Competition law attorneys represented on the Legal.ge platform offer full legal representation at any stage of a cartel investigation. Services include:
- Defense during Agency Investigations: Protecting the company's interests in investigations initiated by the Competition Agency, preparing strategic responses to information requests, and presenting explanations.
- Dawn Raid Management: Providing legal accompaniment during unannounced on-site inspections ("dawn raids") by the Agency to ensuring procedural rights are respected and trade secrets are not illegally disclosed.
- Participation in the Leniency Program: Preparing an application under the "Leniency Program." If a company admits to the violation and cooperates with the Agency, it is possible to obtain full immunity from fines or a significant reduction.
- Internal Investigation: Conducting internal audits to uncover illicit communications with competitors by employees and assess risks.
- Litigation: Appealing the Competition Agency's final decisions and imposed fines in court.
Cartel investigation services are particularly relevant in the following scenarios:
- Companies participating in state procurement are accused of Bid Rigging. It is necessary to prove that price similarities are due to identical raw material costs.
- Companies operating in the fuel or pharmaceutical markets are suspected of coordinated action. A lawyer prepares an economic justification for pricing.
- A former employee revealed information about secret meetings with a competitor. Management wants to utilize the Leniency Program before the Agency starts an investigation on its own.
- The Competition Agency demands a large volume of confidential information. A lawyer ensures that data transfer occurs legally and with trade secret status protection.
The field is regulated by the Law of Georgia on Competition. Cartel agreements (Article 7 of the Law) are considered the most serious violation of competition law. Legislation provides specific rules for the burden of proof and grants the Agency broad powers, including the right to inspect company documentation and electronic correspondence with court permission.
Collaborating with a Legal.ge specialist is critical from the very early stages of an investigation. Incorrectly provided information or delayed submission of documents can lead to aggravated fines. Our lawyers will help you manage the crisis, minimize risks, and save the company's reputation.
Find competition law experts on Legal.ge. Our platform gives you access to lawyers experienced in the most high-profile antitrust cases who understand how the regulatory system works from the inside.
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